Baseball-game apparatus



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April 29 1924. 1,492,127

. F. L. FOX-ET AL BASEBALL GAME APPARATUS Sheets-sheaf 3 ME WHII'MHWLQwwiwtoz v .f'o'x. Witvwzoaaa 17am? 5. Gibson FREDERICK L. FOX AND IFBASEBALL-GAME MP 1':

t o. omson, or :w

TUS-

Application filed m 24, new. semi at. 312,923

T all whom it may concern: 7 Be it known that we, Fnnonmcx L. Fox andFRANK C. GIBSON, citizens of the United States residing at Ed elea, inthe count oh Fairfax and State of irginia, have .invented certain newand useful Improvements in Baseball-Game Apparatus, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The object of this our present joint inven- 1 tion is the provision ofan entertaining, interest-exciting and skillexercising apparatus forplaying and exemplifying the playing of the modern game of base ball,including all of the fine points and technical l5 phases thereof. Theapparatus. is preferably, "though not necessarily, for in-door use; thesame being susceptible of embodiment, when desired, in a table-likestructure that may be conveniently used in a room of ordinary area.

To the attainment of the; foregoing the invention consists in theapparatus herein after described and definitely claimed.

Accompanying and forming part of this specification are'drawingsillustrative of the best practical embodiment of our invention ,of whichwe are cognizant, inwhich: n Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus.Fi re 2 is an enlarged detail section in the plane of the line 2-2 ofFigure 1. Figure 3 is a detail transverse section on line 3-3 of Figure2.

Figure 4 is a detail plan onan enlarged scale of one of the. fielderfigures. Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 4. a Figure 6 is anenlarged-perspective of one of the ball-receivers conviplementary to theretain a runner figure at second base or.

' Figure 21 1s a view showing the means for positioning, the

Figure 7 is a detailplan of one of the driving connections for manuallyshifting third base'inthe event of -a runnerfigure being sent to. firstbase on four ba s.

igu're. 11 is a horizontal section taken in a' lane below thefield-platform.

igure 12 is an enlarged detail plan of the first-base portion of the.field platform; Figure 13is a detail plan view of one of theelectro-mechanical combinations for op erating'the switch points. 7

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view of the electro-mechanical means ballsand strikes.

Figure 15 is a detail for indicating view 6fone of the strikes and outs.v

Figures 16, 17 1'8-and 18 are'views illustrative of the construction ofthe runnerfigures and the elements with .which the Figure'17. r 1

I Figure 19 is a broken vertical section showing a simple form ofbatting mechanism, according to our invention.

- Figure 20 isga similar view of th e'pitch ing mechanism.

fragmentary broken plan ball in play relatively to the pitching ele mentin order to bring about the delivery of a ball or a strike as thepitcher desiresi; e., enable the pitcher to guide the ball de-- liveredtothe batter.

, igure,22 is a top plan of the electro-mejchanical runner-figurecontrol.

three registers or annuneiators for balls, I

same cooperate; Figure 18 being ,takem in 1 the plane indicated by theline 18 -18 of Figure ,23 is a section taken in theplane indicated bythe line 23-23 of Figure 22.

Figure 24 is adetail of the motor-control pring. J Figures. 25

being taken on line 27-27 of Figure 25. Figure 26 is a projectedhorizontal-section i i a and -27 are views of the tint" pire-figure andappurtenances; Figui'e 27' of the umpire control on line '26-26of Fig--ure"25.

Figure 28 is a detail plain of the-run reg:

ister or annunciator.

Figure 29 is a detail section of the same. Figure 30 is a diagrammaticview of the circuit system for controlling movements of theumpire-figure arms.

Figure 31fis a view illustrativeof a prebeing conductivei. e., a goodconductor of circuit system employed for the operation ofthe balls,strikes of the one base-hit control when the ball is.

struck by the batting mechanism.

. Figure 32 is a diagrammatic view of the and outs registers orannunciators three in number as per diagram and for the resetting ofthe, registers or annunciators when a runner-figure passes a certainpoint en routeto first base on a base hit or when givenwa base on balls;

Figure 33 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit system employed inconjunction with the 1, 2, 3 and 4 base-hit pockets around the out-fieldportion of the field platform.

Figures 34, 35 and 36 are diagrammatic views of circuit systemshereinafter. ex: plicitly referred to.

' Similar numerals and letters of reference designate correspondingparts in all of the views of the drawings. 5

In the practice ofour invention it is proposed to employ ninefielder-figures, Figure 1,

the same including a catcher 1, a pitcher 2,

'fil vtfil 3 ll' and Seven m e ders and on e ders a m f pockets 10,formed by the outer Wall 11,"

appropriate positions on the field-platform which may be a table to manyother platform compatible with t e purposes'of our invention. R 'is alsoproposed to emloy four runner figures 5,- one of which is best shown inFigures 16-18. The operation of the apparatus also contemplates theemployment of an umpire figure U, and the utilization of aball 6 inplay, the said ball electricity. In the preferred use of the apparatus,one group of nine persons will play against a group of correspondingnumber, and each team will comprise a catcher,

pitcher, three basemen, a shortstop, and

' three outfielders. Nine lnnings will consti- L tute agameand the gamewill be carried on in strict: accordance with the rules governingthemodern field-game of baseball; the teams alternatingat the bat andeach batting in conformity with a pre arranged batting Glider, and themembers of each team, when the same is in the field, being charged withthe conduct and manipulation of their respective fielder-figures reresenting the team. This latter is true 0 all the fielder-figuresexceptthe pitcher and catcher fielder-figures which are stationary andnot susceptible of manipulation" or,

hence placing. It is to be understood here, however, that it will be theprovince of the pitcher of the team in the field to operate tion or infour runne the pitching mechanism as will behereinafter set forth indetail. Four runner figures are all thatare necessary to represent thein team inasmuch as more than four players of an *in team are never inacplay at the same time, and the -figures maybe used one after The fieldplatform.

The field platform 4 is preferably of the outline shown in Figure l, andis provided with upstanding side flanges 7, a rear upstanding flangeportion 8, and a forward arcuate edge 9, Figures 1 and 2. The flangeportion 8 is preferably, though not necessarily, hollow and equippedwith one or more transparent, panels 8*. Consequently the said flangeportion 8 may, when deemed expedient, be utilized to containilluminating means. This, however, is not of the essence of ourinvention and therefore when desired the portion 8 may be'a simpleconfining flange. The arcuate edge 9 is disosed, Figures 1' and 2, in anarcuate series the lower Wall 12, the upper overhanging wall 13 andupstanding partition walls 14, with the edge 9 spaced from all of saidwalls 1113 in order to enable the ball 6. to drop from the edge 9 to thewall 12. The center of the circle of which the arcuate series" ofpockets 10 describes a portion is at the home plate on the fieldplatform; the foul lines extending from the home plate to the ends ofthe said arcuate series of pockets as illustrated, Figure 1.' Adjacentto said circle are supported eight spaced groups of circuit-closing keys14 Figures 1 and34. At the back of the flange circuit closing keys 14, Fi ures 1 and 33. Connected to and extend ng rearwardly afrom the wall12, Figure'2, are bars 15, (one to each pocket). Manifestly, a 'singlebar 15 may be used if preferred. On each bar 15 are spaced,rearwardly-declined contact bars 16, Figures 2 and 3. Complementary toeach pair of contact bars 16 is a rearwardly-declined chute 17 hung at18, from the platform 4. These several, chutes 17 are rearwardlyconverged in order to enable any one of the same to conveythe ball 6 toa rear receptacle 19, carried by the plat form 4, from which the ballmay be conveniently recovered to be replaced manually in play. On theupper side of the field platform 4 is simulated a diamond 20, with homeplate, first, second and third bases and pitchers box, Figures 1 and 8,and in the platform is formed an opening 21, Figure 9, which extendsalong the base-running path from' one side of the home plate to theopposite side thereof and is bridged by a plate 22 in which is aslot-like opening 23.

8'is a group of wearer I l This 'slot23 is provided at one side of thehome plate with an'arm-like siding 24which merges into an endenlargement 25, and at the opposite sideof the home plate the slot 5 isslightly deflected outwardly and terminates in an end enlargement 26.Adjacent to each base an arm or turn-out 27 diverges from the slot 22',each arm 27 termlnating at its outer end in an enlargement no 28. Formedin the infield portion of the fieldlatform 4 are four, preferablyarouate,'s ots 29, and formed in the outer garden portion of saidplatform are three simiw ures 9 and 16, under the platorm 4, is an track.32' which corresponds. in.

lar slots 30. Carried on han ers 31, Figu'ndulatin con ration to and isvertically ahned with the s t 23, Figure 18. Pivoted at 33, Figure 12,to the latform 4 are switch points 34 for contro ing communicationbetween 99 stops 36 by retractile springs 37 and complementary toelectro-magnets 38, carried at the under side of the platform 4. Alsocarried at the underside of the platform 4 and arranged adjacent to thesecond base and Wthe. third base are pairs of electro-magnets 39, F1pair 0 magnets 39 is an armature late 40, subject to a sprin 41 andequippe with a tappet' 42,-adapte to be projected into the path ofabase-running figure 5, for'an imtportant purpose hereinafter set forth.

The means for mo'vi m; and controlling the a runner puree 5.

Passed around three idler sprocket gears 43' and a driving sprocket gear44 at the underslde of the platform 4 1st. s rocket belt L x 45, and onsaid sprocket belt are our spring- .pressedffingers 46 for moving beforethem the runner-1i res after the manner best shown 1n igure 10. It willbe noticed in this connection, Figures 91-11," that the belt 45 isarranged above and in a plane slightly within the plane of theundulating to track 32;.also, that when either pair of theelectro-magnets39 is energized, the tappet of said plair will beprojected inwardly into, the pat of the runner figure (see Figure-lO)with the result that the runner-figures will be held atvsecond base orat third M base, as the glase may he; the spring of the finger 46 enaling the outer arm of the finger to swing rearwardly and pass or clearthe runner figurev 5, after which the spring. cc will return the fingerto its normal position in which its inner arm bears agalnst the stop 47.When either pair ,of electro-i'nagnets 39 is de-eliergizedthe tappet 42thereof will he maintained by spring 41 in the posi- M ti'on' shown inFigure 10 in which position with the as said ap let till not interferepassage of the runner figures 5. The driv'-' mg sprocket gear 44 isfixed upon a vertical shaft 48, Figures 22 and 23, connected throughmiter gears 49 and 50 witha. transverse shaft 51. This shaft 51, inturn, is

connected by spur gears 52 and 53 with a parallel shaft 54 on which isaworm gear 55. The said gear 55 is intermeshed with a worm 56 ontheatmature shaft 57 of an electric motor 58, located under the platform4. Loose on the shaft 51 are four clutch-members 59, .59, 59 and 59,each equipped with a band-pulley 60, Figure 22, and splined on saidshaft 51 are two duplex complementary in neutral position by springs 63and each has its. outer arm interposed between opposed electro-magnets64, 64, 64 and 64.

The band pulleys 60 are connected through four belts 65- with. acorresponding number of differential band pulleys 66, 67,- 68 and 419.The said' ulleys 67-69 are lpose on a 'common shaft 0, and fixed withrespect to each pulley is a contact disk; the said disks being letteredA, B, C and'D, respectively,

Figures .22 and 36.- Each of the said. disks re 10, and complementary toeach is provided at one side with a retaining each spring having apendent ear 6 on which, 190

is a pui f for engagement within a band 80 andfor release through. thegap 81 there are electro-magnets a, b, c andd' the armatures e of whichare superimposed upon the said springs as shown, Figures 24 and 36. Thesaid armatures e are provided withnon-magnetic stems rah-"guided in [thecenters of the magnets. Ma'nifestly when" the motor 58 is put in oeration, the belt 45 1110 will be driven various istances, (one base,two bases, three bases'or home run), according to the pulleyfiqthatisclutched to the shaft 51, and when theparticular traverse ofthe belt is completed thejmotorwill be caused to stop by theinterruption of the supply of current thereto.

The fielder figures.

witlt a ball-receiver82, Figure 6. that is' preferably of flexiblematerial and is pro-;

vided in the forward portion of its bottom with an aperture 83 for thegravitation of the conductive ball 6. The-catcher fielder figurel isalsoprovided withsimilar ball receivers 82, Figures land 8, disposed at sopposite sides of its receiver 82." li1ach of the ball-receivers, isattached to a holder 84 that is declined to the st; of platof. -Disptsedabove the springs 11, b, c and d Each of the fielder-figures 13 isprovided an. 4, Figure 5, and carried by each holder hand from betweenany pair of the contacts 84 are contacts 85, designed to be electricallyconnected by the interposition therebetween of the ball 6. At this pointwe would say that our invention contemplates the removal of the ball 6by a finger of a 85. As before stated the fielder figures 1 and 2 arestationary The fielder figures 3, however, are susceptible of movementwithin the limits of their slots 29, Figures 1, 4, 5 and 8. This will bebetter understood when it ,is stated that each of the slots 29 ispreferably formed in a plate thatbridges an openin' in the platform 4,and that each of the helder'figures 3 is carried by a pedestal 86, thathas a reduced portion movable in one slot 29, and comparatively largeportions above and below the'slot plate.

In combination. with each of the fielder figures 3 we emplgfyl amanually-operable o of the field platform 4 and in convenient osition tobe grasped by those members of i e team in the field who lay as firstbaseman, second baseman, thir. basemanQshortball passing one of theinfield fielder figures the chance of its being caught in the re stop,left fielder,. right fielder and center fielder, respectively. It is theprovince-of these players to closely watch the batted ball, with theirfingers on the 89 and it is also the province of any one of the players,when the ball 6 is batted in the general direction of his particularfielder figure, to manipulate or position such figure as to catch theball in the receiver 82 there'- of. The ball may be received from theplatform 4 or caught on the fly. Likewise it is the province of theoutfield players to manipulate their respective fielder figures so as toproperly baiek up the infield fielder figures so that ill the event ofthe ceiver 82, or the holder 84 of one of .the outfield fielder figureswill be promoted. The foregoing applies when the ball is batted on theground and when it is struck into the air and manifestly considerabledexterity will a required tofield the ball and prevent it om reachingone of the pockets in the arcuate group'at the forwai d edge ofthe-platform 4. From this. it follows that the operation of theapparatus will excite and hold theinterest of all the on the platform 4.

l The ,umpire the body and adapted to be players and at the same timewill exercise their skill; also, that each fielder player is 1 enabledto demonstrate his indiiridual ability as a fielder to a very largeextent.

The manner figures.

The runner figures fourin number, will be identical in construction andtherefore a detailed description of the runner figure .shown inFigures1618 will sufiice to impart a definite understanding of all. Thesaid figure comprises a body 90 fixed on a tubular upright 91 of adiameter to freely move in the opemng or slot 23 of the dia mond. Belowthe plate 22 the saidupright 91; is fixed to and movable with a hollowenlargement 92. Movable rectilinearly in the upright 91- and enlargement92 is arod 93 which carries at its lower end a bifurcated enlargement 94in which is mounted for notation a travelling wheel 95 thatv is held insuperimposed relation 1''. I

against the undulating track 32 by a spring 96. The upper portion of theupright 91 is longitudinally slotted at 97.," Figures 17 and 18, andmovable in' the slots is a slotted T-head 98 on the rod 93! The saidslotted T-head 98 receives pins 99 on leg sectieiis 100,- ivoted to. thebody 90, and consequent y when. the figure is moved rectilin- Early inthe slot or. opening 23 the rod 93 will be vertically reciprocated,-andthe upper leg sections 100 and the lower sections 101 will be operatedin a manner closely simulating the leg movements. of .a base-runningbaseball player. The umpire. figure" and operating mechanism therefor.

gure U, Figures 25-27, includes a bodf-and legs arranged in fixedupright position on the platform 4, back of the catcher, Figure 1. Saidfigure U also comprises arms 103 pivotally connected to swung verticallyor, raised and lowered thereon, singly or in concert. 'Cranks 104 arefixed to the arms leg 103, and are connected through pitmenr105 to rods106 that extend. downwardly through upright fixed tubes 107 and areprovided at eir lower ends with anti-friction wheels 108. Looselyreceiving the rods 106 is a w cross-head 109, designed to cooperate withabutments 110 on said rods 106 for the simultaneous raising of thelatter to raise the arms 103 in concert, and this without. in-

terfering with the raising of either arm in-' dependently of the other.pending from the center of the cross-head 109 is a rod 112 that extendsthrough a fixed guide 113 and is provided at its lower end with ananti-friction wheel 114. The

anti-friction wheels 108 and 114 are superimposed upon the peri ries ofthree cams 11 5, 116, and" Phi? 117,- ,Sa dcams are mounted Fixed toand'deaeeaiar to rotate each independently of thejothers. Thecam 115 isconnected through ordinary reduction gearing 115 with an electric motor115", the cam 117 through ordinary re-,

duction gearing 117 with an electric motor 117 and. the cam 116 throughspur gears 118 and 119, ashaft 119 and reduction gearing lltiawith anelectric motor 116". On the shaft 119 is fixed a disk;119 complementaryto said levers, respectively. The

operation of the mechanism just described involves the momentaryenergization of one of the-'electro-ma'gnets to release one of the cams,complete thefizircuit of its complementary motor and bring about therotation through a complete revolution of its respec pitched ball. Itwill be readily understood tive cam.. Each armature latch-lever,notwithstanding the de-energizat-i-on of its-magnet, will be retained bythe side ofits cam in position to complete the circuit to itsrerespective motor.

spective motor until its cam makes a complete revolution, whereupon thesnapping of the armature latch lever into its respec-- tive recess willstop its cam and at the same time interrupt the supply of current to itsThus it will be'seen that the umpire figure is electro-mechanicallycontrolled in such manner that one arm 103, preferably the right arm, israised to in icate a strike, the other arm 103, preferably a pad 130 onting es the left arm, is raised to indicate a ball? and both arms areraised synchronously to indicate an. out; also, that following thisraising of either arm-or both arms and the release of the same, the armor arms will avitate to normally pendent positions at The organizedpitching mechanism.

By comparison of Figures 1, 8, 20, and 21 the organized pitchingmechanism will be readily understood, as comprising a ballpositionmgmember 120 movable in the arc of a circle in the platform 1 at one sideof the itcher Figure 2 and having its upper side u sh with the upperside of the platform and also having a slight depression 121, ahorizontally+movable lever 122, pivoted at 123 and having an open-frameportion 124 and a finger piece 125 and also having a pointer; .126 forcooperation with aygra'duated scale 127, a ball-impelling member 128,pivoted at 129 to swing in a 'yertical plane, alongside the pitcher,Figure2, andhaving .the face of its head and also having a sector shapedand peripherallygrooved lower arm 131, a retracting or set:-

lever 132, a cable 133 looped about a sheave 134 and effectingconnection between connecting the sear 13,6 andjthe bell crank 139andpassed under a sheave 140 and over a sheave 141. The impelling member,128 is movable in a slot 142 in platform 4:, andthe impact at thecompletion of its rearward im- 'pelling movement is absorbed to acertain extent by a cushion 143. This in combinat1on with the pad 130lessens noiseincident to operation and at the same time lends a de ee ofelasticity to the blow of the im-. pe ling member against the ball witha view to 'si ulating the ordinary delivery of a frpm the foregoing thatit is the province of the pitcher member of the team-in the field todeliver the ball 6 to the batting mechanism; the delivery being efiectedby first positioning'the ball as deemed most expedient through themedium of the member 120 and its appurtenancesand after the img 'pellingmember 128 is retracted and secured, if desired, in retracted positionthrough the sear 136, and then disengaging the sear 136 by actuation ofthe key lever 138 to suddenly release the member 128. When the member128 is so released it will strike the previously positioned ball 6 anddrive the same rearwardly toward the batting mecha' nism, and in thisconnection it may be stated that when a pitcher player becomesproficient heris enabled by positioning the member precedent to therearward propulsion ball t6 a particular part of the ,field. Fromparatusthere maytbeaa degree of team work between players which will addmaterially to the interest and excitement attending the playing. of theg me. It will also he appreciated of the ball to bring. about thehitting of the,

the pitcher player and the fielder that the ball-positioning fingerplece 125,

the lever 132 and the key lever 138 are positioned in front of theforward portion "of the. field-platform and hence the batteri. e.,' thelplayer who is to manipulate the batting mec anism and who stands behindthe field platform 4, can otsee the preliminary movements of the pitcherand hence has no way of divining the kind of ballvthatwilhbe deliveredto him. A to retract the impe ling member 128 andthen release the samebefore it'is engaged by the sear 126; and consequently either a fast ora slow or a moderately fast ball maybe, do-

in the pitcher is enabled 2 livered. In other words the pitcher player 3is enabled, in the arlance of the game, to mix the pitched balls with aview to uzzling and increasing the difliculty of the batter. In this theitcher player is materially assisted by the ad ing the spring strip 135so that the member 128 is impelled more or less forcibly. The saidadjustable means comprises a slidable support 150 for the spring stri135. positioned below the latter and mova le on-a rest 151, and a rod152 connected to the support 150 and "extending forwardly to a point infront of the platform 4 where it terminates in a finger piece 153,Figure 1, so that the support 150 may be adjusted by the pitcher playerout of the sightof and without the privity of the batter playeri. e.,the player who is for the time being at the bat or charged with theoperation of the batting 'mechanism. To further lessen dental to theoperation of the pitchin mechanism a pad 145 is provided at the rear endof the slot 146 in which the lever 132 is movable.

organized batting mechanism The organized batting mechanism of ourinvention, Figures 1, 8, 19 and 31,

' a batting member movable in a longitudinal vertical slot in theplatform 4 in front of the catcher figure 1 and a sear155 for holdingthebatting member in its retracted position. The batting membermay be ofthe simple type shown in Figure 19 or of the more elaborate andpreferred construction disclospd in Figure 31. For the sakeof Yconvenience, however, we will first describe the construction shown'inFigure 19. According to this construction a slot 156 with a cushioningpad 157 at its forward endis provided, and the batting member 158 ismounted to swing in said slot and be detachably secured in its retractedposition by crank-166 cable 167 its complementary sear 155. The battingmember 158 is designedto be impelled forwardly by the spring strip 159and to be retracted against the action of the saidstri until it isengaged by 'the sear 155, through the medium of the lever 160 and .acable1161, the cable being connected to the lower sectorshaped arm ofthemember 158 and passed 'around a sheave 162, and the lever being movablein a slot 163 in the of the latform 4- and out of the sight of thepitcer player. At its forward end the slot 163 is preferably provided with apad .sear 155 is'disengaged to releasethe batting member through themedium {of thekeylever 165, Figures 1 and 10, located at the rear ofplatform and out of .the sight of the pitching player, a spring-pulledbellconnected with said lever, and a necting the scar andsaid'bell-erank. At

ustable means for tension .struck, and for noise. incicomprises rearportion "disk 180 bearing a circu heated through 23 in the plate 22passed over a sheave 168 and con her is retracted and closed when thesaid member is impelled forwardly. In the preferred is made forcompleting the circuit of the -one base hit control when the ball ispreventing closure of said circuit when the ball is missed by thebatter, the batting member 158 being equipped with a ball-striking leverplate 171, pivoted at 172 and having its lower arm adapted to bring upagainst a buffer 173.0n a pendent bracket 174 at the underside of theplatform 4. The upper arm of the striker plate 171 normally rests asbatting member unless said arm brings up against the ball, the lower armof the striker plate engaging the bufier 173, and preventing back-lashof the upper arm. When, however, the upper arm of the plate 171 strikesthe ball, said arm will be forced rearwardly. This will have the effectof.

forcing rearwardly a bolt-like contact memher 175, and the said memberwill be secured "n retracted position by a latch 176, so as to enablethe member 175 in cooperation with a complementary contact member 177 onmember 158*- to close the electric circuit al- .luded to. The saidmember 175-177 will remain in contact until the head of the memher 175abuts against the stationary anvil 178 when the member 175 willbe'released from the hold of the latch 176 and the circuit will beopened by the movement of member 175 away from member 177. As

indicated by lines in Figure 19, the batting member 158 or 158 isadapted to bat a liner or fiy balls describing various arcsof circlesand is also adapted to drive the ball on a line or into the air towardcenter field, left field or right field according to the line on which nthe ball approaches the batting member and the position of the battingmember when it engages the ball.

The run registering or annwndatz'bg mechanism.

mg mechanism as, com rising a. revoluble ar series of figures in regularsequence. say from Oto 8, adapted to be displayed through asight-opening(not illustrated). Fixed to and revoluble with the disk 186 is a pulley181 that is cona belt 182 with a pulley 183 on a wheel 18%, locatedhorizontally at one side of the portion of. the slot-like opening thatapproaches the home plate. The wheel, 184 is provided with a pluralit ofradially-disposed sockets 185 in the dotted and arrow-pointed shownrelatively to the I I Figures 28 and 29 show the run registerwearerwhich are rectilinearly-movable fingers 186, each thrust outwardly by aspring 187 and each provided with a collar flange 188. When the wheel184 is at rest, one ofthe fingers 186 intersects or extends transverselyacross the vertical plane of the said portion of the slot-like" opening23 and v with its collar flange 188 arranged as best shown in Figure 29relatively to an upstanding curvilinear flange 189 on one arm of aspring-pulled armature lever 190, the other arm of which is adapted tobring up against a stop 191 and is opposed to an electro-magnet 192. InFigure 28 a runner figure is shown as approaching and about-to engageoneof the fingers 186 as the runner figure-approaches the home plate toscore a run, and it will be readily understood that by acting againstthe presented finger 186, the runner figure will turn the disk 180 onespace'to score the run. At the end of each inning reference may be hadto the disk 180 for the convenient ascertainment of the runs scored 1nsaid inning.

Tire registers or mmmwiatore for balls,

. strikes anal outs.

I These registers, (three in number) are shown in Figure 32, and Figure15 illustrates in detail the halls register. This register comprises aswinging sector-disk 193 bearing figures say from 0 to t adapted to bedisplayed through a sight opening (not shown), and is equipped with anabutment 194. Fixed with respect to the dlSkx193 is a ratchet 195, andrevoluble independently-- of both disk 193 and ratchet 195 is a tootheddisk 196 on which is an. arm 197 to engage the abutment 194 and. whichis designed to be moved in the direction indicated by arrow by aconvolute spring 198 which'is put under tension by turning of the disk196 in the direction op osite to that indicated. The disks 193 an 196are turned step by step reversely to the arrow through apart of a circleand are then released to permit res torationmovemefit of said disk 193by :the spring 198 and disk 196 in the direction of the arrow and backto initial position. The

means for efiecting the first-named movement of the disks 193 and 196and the subsequent release of said disks includes an armature 199 backedby a spring 200 and opposed to an electro-magnet' 201.,a springpulledarmature lever- 202 opposed to an electro-magnet 203 and equip ed with ade: tent 204 and an arm 205 on w ich is a crosshead 206, andaspring-backed detent finger 207 pivoted to the armature -1991and slottedto receive the arm 205 in such relations as to enable the cross-head 206on said arm to pull the det'ent 207 out of engagement with the ratchet195. Each energization of the magnet 201 ing of the disk 193 'reverselyto the arrow the ill manifestly bring about the turndistance of onespace or notch, the teeth of disk 196 riding past the detent 204 whichholds disk 196 against movement in the direction of the arrow' When themagnet 203 is energized to disengage the detent 204 from disk 196, andthe detent 207 from ratchet 195, the spring 198 will return the disks196 and 193 to the position shown.

At 208 is a normally-o en circuit-closing device, arranged to: be c osedby the arm 197 on disk 196.

The halls, strike and outs registers shown diagrammatically in Fi re 32are similar in construction, and the balls? disk 196 is also showndiagrammatically in Figure 35 as provided with an additional radial arm197 which may also serve, if desired, as one of the ratchet teeth.

At this point we would have it distinctly understood that it is withinthe purview of our invention to arrange the registers or annunciatorseither upon or below the field platform or at any point or-points moreor less remote from the field platform.

Theelectro-mecham'ccl umpire amt control means.

bomparison of Figures 6, 8, 25, 26, 27 and 30 will make clear theelectro-mechanical umpire control means when it is stated that thereception of the conductive ball in the central receiver 82 of thecatcher figure 1 and .theelectrical connection of the contacts 85ceivers 82 of catcher figure. 1 and the electrical connection of thecontacts 85 in receiver 82 willcause momentar'y energizetion of theelectro-magnet c to enable the armature lever c to close at b thenormallyopen circuit I) including the source of energy 0 and the motor117 whereupon said motor will be actuated to raise the right arm of theumpire figure to indicate a ball, land then when the armature lever c isenabled to again seat in the recess in its cam the last mentionedcircuit will be interrupted at 6*. Closure of the circuit including themagnet at and a source of electrical energy will be attended byenergization of said ,magnet 2 to enable the armature lever a no closeat a the normally-open circuit 0. including the source of energy 0 andthe motor 116 whereupon the motor will be actuated to synchronouslyraise both arms of the umpire figure to

